By S. Ali July 29th, 2009
(Celebrating 28th Anniversary) - Keddy Lesporis reached a magnificent
century when he flicked a short ball off his pads to the backward
square boundary for four, registering his first ton on U.S. soil.
An elated Lesporis then raised his bat and helmet in signature fashion
to acknowledge the applause of his entire Cosmos teammates whom
had lined the boundary in anticipation of the landmark. Lesporis’
performance ultimately ensured his team’s berth in the 2009
Metropolitan Cricket League (MCL) Round-Robin finals.

Keddy Lesporis registered his first ton against Westbury.

By any measure,
it was a sterling innings by the promising teenage batting sensation
and current Windward Islands opening batsman. Lesporis rose to the
occasion in as important a match as he has played outside of the
Caribbean, the MCL Division 1 semi-final, finishing unbeaten on
109 (9x4s, 2x6s). The young star batsman’s shot-filled display
embodied character and pure determination, the likes of which often
elevates the performance of a cricketer of class against a formidable
opponent, many-time champions Westbury, at Westbury High School
last Sunday.

After being
asked to take first strike with rain in the forecast, Westbury posted
a challenging 256 for 9 off 40 overs, led by the inform Paul Salmon
who struck a belligerent unbeaten 80 as he put together an excellent
120-run third wicket partnership with Barrington Bartley (67). Bartley
capitalized on a rare mistake by prolific pacer George Adams, when
a Kevin Darlington bouncer took a thick outside edge and flew straight
to a well-positioned Adams at deep third-man with Bartley only on
9. Bartley made a meal of the opportunity, combining with Salmon
to render Cosmos to toil under the heat and humidity after Cosmos
had restricted them to 55 for 2 off 15 overs behind two controlled
spell of fast bowling by the duo of Darlington and Adams. As seen
all season by the Cosmos faithful, it was the brilliance of Lesporis
that once again shone through in the field as after taking two magnificent
catches at backward point to dismiss opener Cliff Roye and later
Dennison Thomas, who came to the wicket for a brief stint to replace
an exhausted Salmon, Lesporis effected a well executed run out of
Bartley.

In search of
quick runs for Westbury, Bartley steered a short delivery outside
the off stump off seamer Clive Samuels straight to Lesporis at backward
point and inexplicably took off down the track. Lesporis, moving
deftly, sprung into action to gather the ball cleanly and fired
a return right alongside the stumps to wicketkeeper Donald Bennett,
stranding an openly angered Bartley who flung his bat in disgust
anticipating that Clifford Lewis the non-striker would have been
backing up further. The loss of Bartley left Westbury struggling
at 156 for 5, with only 10 overs remaining, as Cosmos fought themselves
seemingly into a position of strength.

With the previously
retired Salmon on his way back to the wicket and Cosmos apparently
reinvigorated by the effort of teammate Lesporis, the stage was
set for an interesting final 10-over session. The final session
would belong to Westbury as Salmon, Lewis (22) and Devon Campbell
(22) led the way in posting 100 off the last 10 overs. In a brave
decision, Cosmos elected to rest ace swing bowler Sham Ali in favor
of the efficient young fielder, Marlon Persaud. Persaud responded,
shaking off his early nerves like an inspired young man, and sensing
his opportunity in his first big semi-final match was brilliant
in the deep outfield saving many well struck balls from reaching
the boundary. He along with Naushad Khan patrolled the mid-wicket
and extra cover boundaries with frenetic energy all afternoon, highlighted
by Khan’s well-judged catch taken to dismiss Dwight Meikle
(0), swinging for the fences.

Cosmos’
Clive Samuels bagged 5 for 74 in an unusually expensive spell as
unruffled captain Dixieth Palmer marshaled his team to the end,
with Westbury fighting themselves back into a strong position.

In quest of
victory needing better than 6.4 runs per over, under threatening
skies, Cosmos openers Lesporis and Dennis Evans raced to 40 in only
4 overs before Evans was caught on the deep mid wicket boundary
for a quick-fire 17.

The Cosmos batsmen
would remain focused on the required rate as Lesporis and Donald
Bennett carefully constructed an excellent century partnership for
the second wicket. When rain and rapidly fading light interrupted
play in the 17th and 22nd overs, Cosmos remained fractionally ahead
of Westbury’s run rate. Bennett had already stroked a classy
66 runs, and was in the process of shepherding the younger Lesporis
along as they positioned Cosmos on 145 for 1 off 22 overs before
Bennett was dubiously adjudged leg before wicket from a thick outside
edge that flew past the wicketkeeper and first slip – perhaps
the result of the poor lighting conditions. Dixieth Palmer (2) then
holed out to the deep extra cover boundary as Cosmos fell to 159
for 3. Westbury suddenly sprung to life as the “flood lights”
were turned on in the midst of the prevailing darkness that ultimately
transcended into potentially dangerous conditions.

Lesporis remained
undeterred along with a determined Melroy Kingston as the pair shared
a breezy 58-run partnership. Cosmos’ adaptable prowess shone
through the darkness despite fruitless and endless appeals for more
“flood lights” as it became increasingly obvious that
fielders could not see well given their slow reaction to balls played
in their general vicinity – several times standing in wonder
as to where the ball had gone. With Cosmos coasting on a commanding
227 for 4 off 32 overs and the general Lesporis firing on all cylinders
and needing perhaps just a few more overs to achieve their target,
the umpires finally offered light to the batsmen and Westbury conceded
defeat.

It was a well-deserved
victory for the defending champions, who had swung into the playoffs
on a thread, as they secured their second successive berth in the
MCL finals. The victory also set up a repeat of last season’s
MCL championship in which Cosmos defeated Progressive.

For Cosmos,
it was tremendous team effort orchestrated squarely on the shoulders
of a sensational teenager who followed up his brilliance on the
field with a memorable match winning century. After the match, Lesporis
reminded teammates that he was undefeated versus Westbury this season
following his 87 not out in an early season six-wicket rout of the
former champions. “This club has endured much more than just
a testy cricket season and has survived with honors. Today’s
effort in overcoming a major challenge underscores why Cosmos is
a first-rate organization,” stated Cosmos president Sham Ali
at the club’s post-game team meeting.

Cosmos will
play Progressive at Floyd Bennett next Sunday in the MCL Round-Robin
Final.

In celebration
of the club’s 28th anniversary, Cosmos has dedicated the 2009
season as its inaugural benefit year for a prominent contributor
to its illustrious past. This year’s honoree will be team
manager Shadi Khan. The inaugural celebration is scheduled for Saturday,
Aug.8, 2009 @ 11am at Floyd Bennett Field. All are invited.